Hundreds pay tribute to former curator

HUNDREDS OF family, friends and colleagues attended a memorial Mass on Saturday for the museum curator and author Mairéad Dunlevy.

Ms Dunlevy, the first director of the Hunt Museum and former keeper of the art and industrial division of the National Museum of Ireland, died on March 18th, aged 66. She donated her body to the Royal College of Surgeons for medical research.

Dr Pat Wallace, director of the National Museum, described Ms Dunlevy as one of the greatest curators in the museum's 130-year history. She epitomised the best research traditions of the old institutions of science and art, he told the congregation in the University Church on St Stephen's Green.

"Who among our colleagues and friends who knew Mairéad at the museum will ever hear the chink of Waterford or Belleek, the rustle of linen or lacework, or look again at a print of Dublin, a wallpaper or even a museum register book without remembering Mairéad? Who will open a drawerful of combs from Viking Dublin without thinking of her research in this area?"

Shy yet gregarious, her shyness disappeared as she came to life as an enthusiastic communicator for the arts in Irish and English on radio or television, he said.

From Mountcharles in Co Donegal, Ms Dunlevy wrote an acclaimed history of Irish dress and played a major role in getting the National Museum at Collins Barracks up and running.

A foundation to honour her memory has been established by her partner, businessman John Reihill, it emerged yesterday.

The current director of the Hunt Museum, Virginia Teehan, paid tribute to Ms Dunlevy's role in shaping the ethos of the museum in accordance with the best possible standards of curatorial excellence and innovation. "Mairéad's passion rested on a deeply held love for, and understanding of, our cultural and material heritage, as seen through the lens of the decorative arts."

Ms Teehan said she wished for her friend the words used by Aelred of Rievaulx to explain the rewards of monastic life: "Everywhere peace, everywhere serenity and a marvellous freedom from the tumult of the world."

Ms Dunlevy's brother Maurice recalled how her strength shone through as she fought her cancer. "Her bravery, courage and concern for all those around her remained to the end." Mr Reihill said his partner, once she knew her fate, had planned every detail of the memorial service, which was to be a "day of celebration". The decision to donate her body to medical science owed much to the advice she received from an aunt when young about the importance of scientific research.

Mr Reihill's daughter Karen also delivered a tribute to Ms Dunlevy, while another daughter, Christina, read a poem written in her memory.